Women Build 2026

The Reality: Women & Housing Barriers

At Habitat, we know that safe housing changes lives. However, systemic economic gaps present unique barriers for women attempting to secure homeownership. Women continue to earn less on average than men for the exact same work, making it significantly harder to save for a traditional down payment or secure favorable mortgage rates. Additionally, single mothers bear the highest burden of severe housing cost inflation, often forced to spend more than half of their income on substandard rental housing. This leaves families vulnerable to instability and limits their ability to build generational wealth.

The History of Women Build

To directly combat these disparities, Habitat for Humanity launched the very first Women Build project in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1991. The initiative officially went global in 1998. Designed as an affinity program to dismantle the intimidation factor often found on traditional construction sites, Women Build creates a supportive, collaborative space where women can learn trades, pick up tools, and claim their place in the housing movement while advocating for equitable land and housing rights globally.

What We Accomplished This Year

This past May, our community showed up with incredible hustle to push our four newest Tooele homes across the finish line! Working alongside future homeowners, our volunteer crews completed the most beautiful and final stage of the build journey: extensive site landscaping, grading, and sod installation. Whether giving a few hours or multiple days, our volunteers added the final, vital flourish these local working families deserved before receiving their keys.

Week Highlights

• All Genders United: While focusing on women's empowerment, volunteers of all genders and gender identities built side-by-side.
• Skills & Confidence: On-site pros provided all tools and step-by-step training—proving no construction experience is required to make an impact.
• Empowerment Spirit: Amazing team energy, custom event t-shirts, stickers, and local catered lunches.

Empowering Generations

By providing hands-on learning and fostering teamwork, we help families build the strength, independence, and long-term stability needed to thrive in their own homes. Though the build week has concluded, the neighborhood community established here will endure for generations.

Corporate Sponsorships

Missed the construction window in Tooele? Your organization can still invest in local equity. We host corporate partnership and build opportunities throughout the year to fund the raw materials turning affordable house designs into actual homes.